The tension rises as the semi-final return of the Champions League between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, this Wednesday at the Parc des Princes. Beaten on the smallest of the margins to go to London (1-0), the Gunners of Mikel Arteta are sentenced to the feat in the French capital to hope to see Munich. In this high -pressure context, a particularly respected voice and listened to at Arsenal expressed itself: that of Arsène Wenger. On beIN SPORTSthe emblematic former manager of the club delivered a sharp tacto-psychological analysis, distilling in passing a precious advice to his former player and protected, Mikel Arteta.
According to Wenger, each Champions League return match presents a “Mental problem” specific to solve for both teams. And for the Alsatian, the situation of Arsenal is, paradoxically, the simplest psychologically. His advice is clear: there are no calculations to do. “The advantage for Arsenal is that the mental problem is easy. They have to go, play and win, “ he analyzes. No questions to ask the management of the score, the only objective must be to impose his game and seek victory, without ulterior motives.
The mental trap that watches over PSG according to Wenger
Conversely, Wenger believes that the real psychological puzzle is on the Parisian side. This is where its advice is located in Arteta: to exploit the PSG dilemma. “The mental problem for PSG is: do we play to win this match or do we play to protect our advantage (…)?” »» explains Wenger. He underlines the difficulty for Luis Enrique to transmit a clear and unanimous message: opting for management could go ” a little against the DNA of the team ”, And all players may not join a “Passive attitude”, Especially at home with a final at stake. Even if Enrique said he wanted to win, Wenger implies that he will be “Very difficult” not to be caught up in the temptation to manage.
Wenger points to the Dilemma of PSG: the perfect plan for Arsenal's feat?
This analysis is a continuation of the support displayed by Arsène Wenger to his former club. Before the first leg, he had already claimed to believe the “potential” of Arsenal to qualify, highlighting the defensive solidity of the Londoners as a major asset on a double confrontation. A solidity which will be essential again to hope to overthrow the PSG at the Parc des Princes, while applying the offensive council of their old mentor.
Will Arteta follow the master's advice?
By dissecting the psychological challenge of the return match, Arsène Wenger offers a mental roadmap to Mikel Arteta: playing released, without calculating, and potentially enjoy the uncertainty or false rhythm that PSG could install. His advice emphasizes the mental approach as a key to qualification. It remains to be seen whether the Gunners will be able to apply the recipe of the former master to create the sensation in Paris this Wednesday evening.
